Culinary Union Asks Governor to Sign Off on Insulin Price Control Bill

Price of insulin has skyrocketed about 1000% over the last 20 yearsBy Casey SmithJune 2, 20174:45 amLocal News

The Culinary Union membership is pleading with Governor Brian Sandoval’s office staff to tell the governor they want him to sign the bill that would control insulin prices in the Silver State. Senate Bill 265 would help Nevadans who suffer from diabetes afford the drug that helps them deal with their disease and in many cases saves their lives.

Members of the Nevada Diabetes Political Coalition, an offshoot of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas, have been lobbying lawmakers and the governor to make SB 265 the law. The bill, introduced by State Senator Yvanna Cancela, (D) Las Vegas, passed the State Senate 19-2 and the Assembly 26-14.

Nine pharmaceutical companies have reportedly submitted letters of opposition to the bill. Cancela says diabetes medical care costs Nevadans $2.4 billion every year and the price of a vial of insulin has skyrocketed about 1000% over the last 20 years.

The Culinary Union says more than 280,000 Nevada adults suffer from diabetes, including some 75,000 who don’t even know they have the disease yet. The deadline for Governor Sandoval to sign SB 265 is Friday, June 2 at midnight.